Devil May Cry 5 Review

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Capcom is killing it this year. First, we got the brilliant Resident Evil 2 remake, then we got Devil May Cry 5. The Devil May Cry franchise had been on hiatus since the controversial release of DMC: Devil May Cry in 2013. Capcom handed over the reins to Ninja Theory (HeavenlySword, Hellblade). Most of the controversy revolves around Dante’s redesign and new characterization, turning him into an edgelord Jonas Brother. Fast forward to 2018 and Capcom announced Devil May Cry 5. They claimed that it would be a return to form for the franchise. Let’s see if it lives up to this claim.

Devil May Cry 5 released earlier this month. Holy shit dude, this game kicks so much ass! The near 11 years between sequels was well worth the wait. Running on the RE Engine, DMC5 is a visually stunning spectacle fighter. The monsters look gross and fleshy, as they should. The visuals are top notch. All the effects and lighting are just fantastic. The framerate is quite spectacular. The first thing you will notice outside the visuals is the tight combat controls. Excellent controls lend itself well to fluid combat. It feels so good to fight. Pulling off combos will feel so rewarding. The excitement never wears off. Every battle leaves you raring to fight more demons.

DMC 5 stars Dante, Nero, and newcomer V. The player gets access to all three, who all control radically different. Dante has access to many weapons. The standard long sword you’re accustomed to seeing him hold, his trademark twin pistols, claws, many more. He is given a few absurd weapons, the stand out being the motorcycle. Yes, you read that right, a motherfucking motorcycle. Dante has the most options when it comes to combat. Nero fights using a sword and a mechanical arm. He can equip different arms that grant him various abilities. V’s fighting style is unique compared to Dante and Nero. He doesn’t fight directly, but instead using two familiars to do his bidding. The shadow panther and crow fight, and V finishes off the enemy. V is tricky to use at first. His style throws you a curve ball. His combat becomes very rewarding once you get used to it.

Every mission has the player traveling through hallways like paths. This is not intended as an insult. Linearity benefits the game considerably. Time spent wandering around aimlessly is less time spent fighting, what we’re all here to do. After mission 1 you will know exactly when enemies will show up. Whoever you are playing as will be stuck in an enclosed area until all adversaries are defeated. Its somewhat disappointing when it ends. The combat is so much fun you will want to keep going at it, even if your thumbs will be glad to finally get a rest. Every mission ends in a boss fight. Shit gets real. The bosses will put your skills to the test. Use everything the game gives you at your disposal. Don’t worry too much about losing, since the game will give another chance (if you have enough red or gold orbs).

Devil May Cry 5 wants the player to keep moving forward. Keep fighting, keep moving. The player is given numerous upgrades and skills. There’s always something new to keep things fresh. Weapons and skills are upgraded using red orbs, which are given away in abundance. You’re encouraged to return to previous missions and grind for red orbs. Unfortunately, Capcom decided to cram microtransactions into the game late in the development cycle. DMC 5 doesn’t feel like a game designed around the implementation of microtransactions. Red orbs are given away in droves, making the purchase of them unnecessary. Why would I want to pay money to not play the game I bought? Capcom might be surprised by this revelation, but we actually want to play the game. Imagine that!

Capcom allowed DMC 5 to go full ham. The dumb and absurd elements of the series is fully leaned into. It’s a big dumb action game and completely owns it. Past games seemed hesitant to fully embrace the stupidity. Like they felt the need to be somewhat grounded. Capcom did away with any pretense. Dante has gone full Dante, a smooth criminal. Nero is a cocky trash talker. V is looks like a front man of a nu metal band and spends too much time at Hot Topic. He also reads poetry while his familiars rip apart a demon. Lady and Trish also make appearances. A new character named Nico is your arms dealer. You can call her mid-level and she’ll go to wherever you are with her van, even if that means bursting through a wall. These scenes continually get more ridiculous. Nico is a blast.

DMC 5 is a fantastic linear single player experience. Quite a rarity in this age of “live-service” open world games. DMC 5 feels like a PS2 game in the best possible way. Classic Capcom from that era is on full display here. They nailed down exactly how DMC should play in the modern era. Get this game if you want an excellent spectacle character fighter. You’ll have no regrets.